Dream selection quickly soured for Ansari

Surrey’s Zafar Ansari is facing an anxious wait to discover if he will be fit for next month’s Test series against Pakistan after the spinner injured his left thumb just hours after being a surprise call-up to the England squad to tour the United Arab Emirates.

Ansari, a 23-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner and left-handed batsman who was selected as a third spin-bowling option for England behind Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, visited a specialist after suffering an "open dislocation" to his thumb while fielding for Surrey against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

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The incident occurred just four hours after the ECB announcement, and Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart admitted the injury was “a concern”.

“It didn’t look good,” Stewart said. “It’s his left thumb and he was in quite a bit of pain. Fingers crossed for him but seeing him in the dressing room it’s certainly a concern.”

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Ansari calls for medical attention immediately after the incident // Getty Images

The spinner was set also poised to play in Saturday’s Royal London One-Day Cup final against Gloucestershire, making the timing of the accident all the more unfortunate.

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Earlier, ECB director of cricket Andrew Strauss had heaped praise on Ansari, suggesting the nature of the wickets England were likely to encounter against Pakistan could see him figure in selection discussions.

“The challenge we face against Pakistan will be very different and the composition of our squads reflects the conditions we expect to encounter in the UAE,” Strauss said.

“Zafar Ansari’s potential excites us and he will provide strong competition for Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in the Test squad after enjoying an excellent domestic season with both bat and ball for Surrey.”

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Ansari is one of three uncapped players in the 16-man England squad, alongside leg-spinner Rashid and opening batsman candidate Alex Hales.

Hales looks likely to replace Adam Lyth at the top of the order, after the Yorkshireman failed to impress during the Ashes, averaging 12.77 across nine innings.

“Alex Hales has scored heavily for Nottinghamshire in first-class cricket this season, has shown he can play match-winning innings for England in white-ball cricket and fully deserves an opportunity to compete for a place at the top of the order in our Test side,” Strauss added.